ECE 2: Enrollment

Prior to enrollment, parents are offered a tour of the facility and receive information regarding:

1. the organization’s approach to education, child development, and behavior management;
2. policies and procedures, including situations that can result in a child’s removal from the program;
3. classroom rules and expectations;
4. opportunities and expectations for parental participation;
5. applicable child protection reporting mandates;
6. established mechanisms for parents to report safety concerns or suspected child abuse and neglect;
7. means of resolving differences or complaints; and
8. fees, operating hours, and whether or not there is space currently available.

Enrollment practices:

1. ensure equitable treatment;
2. support timely initiation of care; and
3. provide for placement on a waiting list, if desired.

The organization collects relevant information from families at enrollment and as needed throughout the year, including:

1. identifying information, including name and date of birth;
2. address;
3. additional consent forms or permission slips, as needed; and
4. authorizations for pick-up.

The organization maintains files for all children that:

1. contain relevant information;
2. are specific, factual, and legible;
3. are kept up to date;
4. are signed and dated by authorized personnel, where appropriate;
5. comply with any applicable legal requirements; and
6. are maintained and disposed of in a manner that protects privacy and confidentiality.

Access to confidential child files meets legal requirements, and is limited to:

1. the child’s parents or legal guardians or designated legal representatives;
2. personnel authorized to access specific information on a “need-to-know” basis;
3. auditors, contractors, and licensing or accrediting personnel, consistent with the organization’s confidentiality policy; and
4. others who are permitted access, as applicable.